Golf: Geary's new bag man was Heaven sent

Josh Geary. File photo / Getty Images

Josh Geary's golf fortunes are on the upswing and he is crediting science along with a slice of Heaven for the surge.

After gaining his Nationwide tour card at the end of last year, Geary endured a rough start, with only one top-50 finish in his first seven events, including five missed cuts.

Since then, the Tauranga golfer has enjoyed two top-10 finishes in the last three tournaments to climb from 72nd to inside the top 40 of over 200 professionals on the tour.

The top 25 - and access to the lucrative PGA Tour- is within reach.

His putter is starting to run hot and he is ranked fifth in overall driving statistics. The 26-year-old is starting to convert promise into results, with a new partnership with fellow Kiwi Brad Heaven paying dividends.

As an amateur, Heaven came within one shot of winning the 2004 New Zealand Open but he has now hung up his clubs - focusing on helping Geary qualify for a PGA Tour spot next year.

As well as caddying, he is also acting as manager, taking care of the off course details and concerns.

The duo played together for many years as they made their way through the ranks, and were room-mates and travelling companions on the Canadian Tour over the past three years.

"Josh is one of the most talented players I have ever seen," says Heaven. "We have played so much golf together now that I feel fortunate to have been able to watch him progress at such a rapid rate - despite the fact at times it was demoralising watching this kid hit shots around the greens that I simply didn't have."

Heaven's involvement is part of a more scientific approach to his game by Geary this year. For the first time since he turned professional in 2006, Geary has a spot on a permanent, regular tour and is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

In contrast to last year, when he played a thin schedule of seven events on the Canadian Tour for winnings of $45,000, in 2011 he is guaranteed starts in at least 25 tournaments.

"The [recent results] are really just a culmination of all the work I have been doing with my team," says Geary.

"My game has felt great all season. I got some great work done with [coach] James Kupa over the break and have had Brad here to keep an eye on things, so I really haven't got off track at all."

As well as Kupa and Heaven, Geary also has regular sessions with golf strength and conditioning specialist Paul Greenwood and physiotherapist Trevor Montgomery. In the US, he also employs sports psychologist Brett McCabe.

"There is a lot that goes into being a world-class athlete and, in this day and age, no stone can afford to be left unturned," says Heaven.

"After my experiences, it became crystal clear to me that this is a lonely sport. Without the right guidance from people who are not only real believers in you, but who have been there and done that, highly talented players can fast lose their way and spiral out of form."

The Nationwide lacks the glamour and profile of the Big Show but is a competitive environment with plenty of quality.

Around 75 per cent of the 300 current members of the PGA Tour have spent some time on the Nationwide Tour. Past graduates include Jeff Maggert and majors winners Tom Lehman, Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson.

"I don't think the average person understands just how deep the talent pool runs in professional golf in the US," says Geary. "From the PGA Tour to the literally dozens of mini-tours throughout the country, guys are shooting the lights out to win every week."

Danny Lee, Tim Wilkinson, Steve Alker and Brad Iles are the other Kiwis on tour and, together with 22 Australians, form an Australasian clique on the road in the US.

"We are highly competitive on the course but the camaraderie among the players off the course is great," says Geary.

Lee, who is dividing his time between Europe and the US, has played in just five events but sits 17th on the money list with three top-10 finishes, including two in the top five.

Lee had been in great form, ranked second overall on tour when driving, approach play and putting statistics are amalgamated - and is currently back in action this weekend at the Chiquita Classic in Ohio. Alker, after a nightmare 2010 when he barely made a cut, is on the verge of the top 100 despite playing just six events.

After two rounds in Ohio, Geary and Wilkinson were the best of the Kiwis in joint 18th place, with Iles 27th. Lee shot twin rounds of 70 to make the cut, while Alker missed the weekend by one shot.